Chit-Chat: The Feels

[Yeah No]

15 minutes ago, PRgal said:

This is a hilarious (somewhat exaggerated, but still kind of real) clip from a show called Little Italy, Los Angeles (I've never heard of it) that has been floating around social media.  It's an example of what I've faced in diversity groups in the past.  The overcorrection is real.

 

 

I know what this is talking about. Privileged white liberals full of guilt over it that want to feel less guilty by acting offended by everything and overcorrecting on things they really don't know much about. I was waiting for the guy to tell her that Guillermo owned the truck and he was the one working for $5.00 an hour! Yeah, although this is the kind of stuff that the right hates with a passion and thinks all white Democrats and liberals are deep down - guilt ridden but really racist and overcompensating to look non-racist to the point of absurdities like this. And then they expect everyone to be as "upright" as they are, but you can never be upright enough for them. They will always find something offensive about you. Sure, there are people like that, and I detest them too, but it's for sure not everyone. But they give the rest of us a "bad rap" as we used to say back in the day!

[bluegirl147]

33 minutes ago, Dimity said:

Depressing though this is it actually makes me feel better. Half your country has not actually lost its mind.

It's a misnomer that the US is split right down the middle. That it's half Dem/Progressive and Rep/Conservative. Most people want the same things.  Secure border.  Affordable health care.  Economy that works for everyone. Sensible gun control. Where most people disagree is how to accomplish those things.  It's always been the so called culture (reproductive rights, LGTBQ rights are the most effective ones) issues to fire up the bases.

[PRgal]

@Yeah No I’ve also seen this kind of attitude from non-Whites (mostly non-immigrant Blacks but also a few Asians who aren’t immigrants or first gen (not too many exist around here)) too.

[Yeah No]

Just now, PRgal said:

@Yeah No I’ve also seen this kind of attitude from non-Whites (mostly non-immigrant Blacks but also a few Asians who aren’t immigrants or first gen (not too many exist around here)) too.

Yes, I've seen that too but that's a whole 'nother issue not addressed in that video.

[bluegirl147]

5 minutes ago, Yeah No said:

Privileged white liberals full of guilt over it that want to feel less guilty by acting offended by everything and overcorrecting on things they really don't know much about.

I don't think guilt as much as they think they know better. We see it happen when men do it to women as in mansplaining. We see it happen when a white person does it to a person of color.  We see it  happen when someone older or younger does it to someone older or younger.  The giveaway was when the young woman dismissed the actual Mexican man saying he wasn't offended. 

[Ohiopirate02]

9 minutes ago, bluegirl147 said:

It's a misnomer that the US is split right down the middle. That it's half Dem/Progressive and Rep/Conservative. Most people want the same things.  Secure border.  Affordable health care.  Economy that works for everyone. Sensible gun control. Where most people disagree is how to accomplish those things.  It's always been the so called culture (reproductive rights, LGTBQ rights are the most effective ones) issues to fire up the bases.

Even when talking about reproductive rights, the vast majority of Americans approve of abortion. And the anti-abortion lobby knows this, that's why they insist upon creating their own definitions that science does not support and also lie. We should be calling miscarriages what they actually are--spontaneous abortions, for example.

[PRgal]

1 hour ago, bluegirl147 said:

I don't think guilt as much as they think they know better. We see it happen when men do it to women as in mansplaining. We see it happen when a white person does it to a person of color.  We see it  happen when someone older or younger does it to someone older or younger.  The giveaway was when the young woman dismissed the actual Mexican man saying he wasn't offended. 

And since I've seen it happen in real life (as it's happened to me), the very fact that the Mexican guy (in the case of the video) isn't "allowed" to not be offended not being addressed in diversity discussions is, in itself, not inclusive and why many people have issues.  It's funny how it was addressed on a show, yet rarely in real life.  

[kittykat]

Again it's the mindset of I don't mind getting screwed over as long as my "enemies" are getting it worse.  I may lose some personal freedoms but thank God the liberals are getting owned.  Way too many people still think that way.

[bluegirl147]

4 minutes ago, kittykat said:

Again it's the mindset of I don't mind getting screwed over as long as my "enemies" are getting it worse.  I may lose some personal freedoms but thank God the liberals are getting owned.  Way too many people still think that way.

And as long as I live I will never understand that way of thinking. Don't get me wrong I want MAGA and all those voters who sat out because reasons to understand they fucked up but I don't want the country to burn down in order for that to happen. Someone doing worse than me doesn't make me think I'm doing better.

[Kemper]

On 2/16/2025 at 10:40 AM, Spartan Girl said:

My vote is both.

And a coward.

[bluegirl147]

3 minutes ago, peacheslatour said:

We know that Project 2025 calls for dismantling the post office and privatizing it. 

Many people get contraception by mail. Millions vote by mail How soon with the new DOGE hires start "losing" those items instead of delivering them?

Louis DeJoy announces plans to step down as USPS postmaster general

DeJoy told the USPS Board of Governors to begin the process of searching for a new postmaster general. DeJoy took office in June 2020.

Jory Heckman@jheckmanWFED

February 18, 2025 8:24 am

4 min read

     

Postmaster General Louis DeJoy is planning to step down from his role, and is calling on the Postal Service Board of Governors to start looking for his successor.

DeJoy, in a letter dated Monday, told the USPS Board of Governors to begin searching for a new postmaster general. DeJoy took office in June 2020.

They want the pension money.  For years the USPS  has had to fund pensions for future employees.  It is a ridiculous requirement and was only implemented to bankrupt the agency so they could then privatize it.  It is always about the money.

[Mollywolly555]

Lib here not accepting cruelty, stupidity, pointless actions that cover devious machinations to take power away from Americans and siphon money to the few. 

Even freedom  of speech has limits. 

[anony.miss]

This is a really interesting (and imo, hopeful) cultural shift  - Joe Rogan has lost his number one position to an anti-Trump podcast:

"Joe Rogan Dethroned by Anti-Trump Podcast in the Charts: The podcast charts have largely been dominated by shows with a conservative or pro-Trump voice, and the likes of Joe Rogan, Shawn Ryan and Ben Shapiro have frequently appeared in the top 10. Trump himself appeared on a number of these podcasts, eschewing traditional media outlets, as part of his successful bid for reelection in 2024. Less than a month into the new administration, the rise of the left-leaning MeidasTouch to become the country's most popular podcast indicates a potential shift in tone currently resonating with Americans.

https://www.newsweek.com/joe-rogan-dethroned-meidas-touch-podcast-donald-trump-2032673

Rogan lost 32 percent in downloads/plays from last month (48.6 million this month) vs TheMeidasTouch at 56 million downloads/plays this month.

Edited Tuesday at 09:34 PM by anony.miss

[anony.miss]

Another interesting cultural shift: Trump's approval rating with younger voters has cratered over the last two weeks:

"Trump sees massive drop in young people support after riding them to an election win: Just 39 percent of adults under 30-years-old who responded to the latest Economist/YouGov poll reported a favorable opinion of Trump. That number stood at 50 percent just two weeks ago."

https://www.yahoo.com/news/not-cool-anymore-trump-sees-163934501.html

That's a massive drop in only fourteen days. Trump has also lost favor with adults aged 30 to 44. In that demo, he was at 45% favorable vs 51% unfavorable, and is now  at 42% favorable vs 55% unfavorable.

Edited Tuesday at 09:51 PM by anony.miss

[tres bien]

Today Trump signed an executive order shutting down the Kennedy Library and Museum in Boston until further notice

The library was shut at 2 pm. Up to nine employees have been laid off

This is truly a WTF 

(I’m actually more enraged but I don’t want to get in trouble)

Edited Tuesday at 09:51 PM by tres bien

[Ohiopirate02]

8 minutes ago, tres bien said:

Today Trump signed an executive order shutting down the Kennedy Library and Museum in Boston until further notice

The library was shut at 2 pm. Up to nine employees have been laid off

This is truly a WTF 

(I’m actually more enraged but I don’t want to get in trouble)

I did some quick research and it appears that this is due to the executive order that fired a bunch of federal workers still in their probationary period and not for any other political reasons. I do have to take a moment and rant about how many different reputable news sources hide their news behind a paywall.

[fairffaxx]

Paywalls can be avoided by going to archive.ph & following directions there.

[MostlyContent]

24 minutes ago, Ohiopirate02 said:

I do have to take a moment and rant about how many different reputable news sources hide their news behind a paywall.

I am SO with you there!  It's like, "NO, I don't want to pay you 50 cents a week in order to read your very important contribution"   😂

13 minutes ago, fairffaxx said:

Paywalls can be avoided by going to archive.ph & following directions there.

I'm usually so annoyed that not reading what they have to say (no matter how much I may want to at the time) feels better than jumping through any sort of hoop for the privilege of doing so.  I imagine that says something awful about my character.  heh.  

[tres bien]

34 minutes ago, Ohiopirate02 said:

I did some quick research and it appears that this is due to the executive order that fired a bunch of federal workers still in their probationary period and not for any other political reasons. I do have to take a moment and rant about how many different reputable news sources hide their news behind a paywall.

Ok let’s see if the same reason is given for shutting down the Ronald Reagan library and laying off employees 

Or does he just have a vendetta against the Kennedy’s except for Bobby Jr

[Ohiopirate02]

2 minutes ago, tres bien said:

Ok let’s see if the same reason is given for shutting down the Ronald Reagan library and laying off employees 

Or does he just have a vendetta against the Kennedy’s except for Bobby Jr

I think that if Trump were to cut funding to the National Archives and presidential libraries for political reasons or in retaliation, then he would start with the Obama library well before the JFK one. 

[peacheslatour]

2 minutes ago, Ohiopirate02 said:

I think that if Trump were to cut funding to the National Archives and presidential libraries for political reasons or in retaliation, then he would start with the Obama library well before the JFK one. 

It's his revenge on a city that hates him and a community he couldn't get into because they wanted nothing to do with a dishonest braggart and a crude parvenu.

[Absolom]

1 hour ago, anony.miss said:

"Trump sees massive drop in young people support after riding them to an election win: Just 39 percent of adults under 30-years-old who responded to the latest Economist/YouGov poll reported a favorable opinion of Trump. That number stood at 50 percent just two weeks ago."

I wish they'd figured it out a few months faster.  Hopefully this is a lesson they keep for a lifetime.

[Anela]

3 hours ago, kittykat said:

Again it's the mindset of I don't mind getting screwed over as long as my "enemies" are getting it worse.  I may lose some personal freedoms but thank God the liberals are getting owned.  Way too many people still think that way.

Same. Somebody being harmed in any way, does not make me feel good. 

3 hours ago, bluegirl147 said:

And as long as I live I will never understand that way of thinking. Don't get me wrong I want MAGA and all those voters who sat out because reasons to understand they fucked up but I don't want the country to burn down in order for that to happen. Someone doing worse than me doesn't make me think I'm doing better.

Oops, I meant to quote you.

[Anela]

6 hours ago, Yeah No said:

I know what this is talking about. Privileged white liberals full of guilt over it that want to feel less guilty by acting offended by everything and overcorrecting on things they really don't know much about. I was waiting for the guy to tell her that Guillermo owned the truck and he was the one working for $5.00 an hour! Yeah, although this is the kind of stuff that the right hates with a passion and thinks all white Democrats and liberals are deep down - guilt ridden but really racist and overcompensating to look non-racist to the point of absurdities like this. And then they expect everyone to be as "upright" as they are, but you can never be upright enough for them. They will always find something offensive about you. Sure, there are people like that, and I detest them too, but it's for sure not everyone. But they give the rest of us a "bad rap" as we used to say back in the day!

I haven't watched the video, but I don't care what "the right" hates about liberals. There is no reason to move to the extreme right. I don't need the respect of MAGA.

Edited Tuesday at 11:07 PM by Anela

[Soapy Goddess]

18 minutes ago, Anela said:

Somebody being harmed in any way, does not make me feel good. 

I know exactly how you feel.

Are you all so insecure that you can't even laugh at a meme anymore?

[ebk57]

It wasn't in any way funny.  Not in any way.  

[Dimity]

And this right here is what I will never understand. 

[Soapy Goddess]

10 minutes ago, ebk57 said:

It wasn't in any way funny.  Not in any way.  

I agree about the context, but it was more about making an absurd "compromise". If you can't see the irony in that (between both memes), then I don't know what will.

[isalicat]

8 hours ago, Anela said:

I do, too. It’s like I’m apologizing for my existence.  Not as much since trump was elected the first time, but I still do it.  

I was out with my dad, last night, eating pizza in the van, starting a movie on my phone. In a good mood, until I opened up Reddit. 

https://www.reddit.com/r/TwoXChromosomes/comments/1irwk3g/they_just_canceled_my_sterilization_and_every/

It was a catholic hospital, so some commenters expressed surprise that she even got this far in the process. The woman who called her, said she was the seventh woman she’d called, and she wasn’t going to be the last (and she says the woman was in tears). 

Salient phrase in the reddit article:

"Should I have gone to a catholic organization to get this procedure done? In hindsight I guess not."

Duh!

[fastiller]

From USA Today.

9/11 health program cuts to cause 'life and death' delays, fired worker says

 

[bluegirl147]

2 minutes ago, fastiller said:

From USA Today.

9/11 health program cuts to cause 'life and death' delays, fired worker says

 

I read that as to be they were making those cuts to purposely cause life and death delays and then I took a beat and thought at this point anything is possible.

 

[Bastet]

Just like with the nuclear safety workers fired and then "Oops, we want to un-fire them" (but have to ask their former coworkers how to get in touch with them) scenario: Oops, we didn't mean to fire these people working to combat the bird flu outbreak:

Quote

The United States Department of Agriculture on Tuesday said that, over the weekend, it accidentally fired "several" agency employees who are working on the federal government's response to the H5N1 avian flu outbreak.

In a statement, the agency said it is trying to quickly reverse the firings.

"Although several positions supporting [bird flu efforts] were notified of their terminations over the weekend, we are working to swiftly rectify the situation and rescind those letters," a USDA spokesperson said in a statement. "USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service frontline positions are considered public safety positions, and we are continuing to hire the workforce necessary to ensure the safety and adequate supply of food to fulfill our statutory mission."

The spokesperson noted that several agency positions were already exempted from the sweeping cuts President Donald Trump's administration is making across the federal government, adding that the Agriculture Department "continues to prioritize the response to highly pathogenic avian influenza."

The error is the latest in the Trump administration's attempts to rapidly shrink the size of the government by conducting mass firings of federal workers — an effort that is being carried out by tech billionaire Elon Musk and the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency, which is heavily staffed by people who have no experience in government.

 

[krankydoodle]

1 hour ago, peacheslatour said:

dishonest braggart and a crude parvenu

I can't remember the last time I came across the word parvenu, but I love this description, it's so apt.

Anyway, more accidental firings, this time from the USDA:

USDA says it accidentally fired officials working on bird flu and is trying to rehire them

Quote

Lawmakers had received little guidance from the administration about the recent program cuts and staff terminations at USDA, which sources said frustrated Republicans on the House Agriculture Committee. The panel, which oversees the USDA, provided a briefing to its members over the weekend to try to help provide some more clarity to lawmakers.

“They need to be more cautious,” Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb, a member of the Agriculture Committee, told NBC News of the DOGE team. “There’s an old saying, ‘measure twice, cut once.’ Well, they are measuring once and having to cut twice. Some of this stuff they’re gonna have to return back. I just wish they’d make a better decision up front.”

Gee, you think? Then do something about it!

[Dimity]

2 minutes ago, krankydoodle said:

Gee, you think? Then do something about it!

Exactly.  Musk is unelected and filthy rich eventually he will move on and will suffer no real repercussions for what he is doing - the same cannot be said for the Republicans in Congress and the Senate who have mostly sat back and let Trump and Musk dismantle the US democracy.  Assuming the country survives these people are the ones who are going to be left holding the can.  Not Musk and certainly not Trump.

[Annber03]

2 hours ago, Soapy Goddess said:

I know exactly how you feel.

Are you all so insecure that you can't even laugh at a meme anymore?

Not insecure, just the fact that absolutely none of what is happening here is even remotely funny, so it's hard to find any suppsoed humor in it. 

[ProudMary]

5 hours ago, tres bien said:

Ok let’s see if the same reason is given for shutting down the Ronald Reagan library and laying off employees 

Or does he just have a vendetta against the Kennedy’s except for Bobby Jr

He'd better not touch Jimmy Carter's. 😠

[Lantern7]

I'm thinking about the possible cancellation of Juneteenth. Can a federal holiday be repealed? I wouldn't think so, but the ceiling for unbelievable pettiness is awfully high these days.

[Yeah No]

12 hours ago, bluegirl147 said:

I don't think guilt as much as they think they know better. We see it happen when men do it to women as in mansplaining. We see it happen when a white person does it to a person of color.  We see it  happen when someone older or younger does it to someone older or younger.  The giveaway was when the young woman dismissed the actual Mexican man saying he wasn't offended. 

The thinking they know better comes from having bought whatever script they were sold about how racism works. Essentially being out of touch and not knowing any better they see it in a simplistic, unrealistic way. Acting like they know better is a defense mechanism to reassure themselves that they memorized the script right and therefore aren't racist. Again, coming from a guilt complex they have over their racism and white privilege.

I think the right thinks that liberals are all guilt ridden whites that can't "own" their racism the way they do. They believe that liberals have been indoctrinated to hate and apologize for what they have been told is their unconscious racism. The MAGA crew embraces its racism and won't apologize for it. They have zero guilt over it. Although if pressed by people they don't know or think are Democrats they will deny being racist. Meanwhile behind closed doors with each other it's a different story.

[Lantern7]

Thought before bed: I wish that any action taken by the current government wasn't basically "owning the libs" over and over again. It just feels like people being evil for the fun of it. It's that one episode of The Simpsons where Mr. Burns finds so many ways to profit at the expense of Springfield. Trump is doing this on a far larger scale, and it is frightening and depressing. Worse, at least Monty has made the occasional face-turn before getting rest to his factory setting. That thing in July didn't seem to bother Donnie in the slightest.

Too much doom? I think that I tend to overdo things on a good day.

[LexieLily]

At this point I am legit afraid to ask just what would be the line too far for three (!!!) GOP persons to decide to impeach him?

[tres bien]

5 hours ago, Lantern7 said:

I'm thinking about the possible cancellation of Juneteenth. Can a federal holiday be repealed? I wouldn't think so, but the ceiling for unbelievable pettiness is awfully high these days.

Trump’s birthday falls on Flag Day June 14

Last week Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (R NY) proposed a bill to make Trump’s birthday a federal holiday sharing it with Flag Day. She said it can be both to recognize him as the founder of America’s Golden Age

She added no modern president has been more pivotal for our country and we want to ensure Trump’s contributions to American greatness are forever enshrined into law

There have already been been proposals by house republicans to rename Dulles airport for Trump. Have his likeness carved on Mt Rushmore and rename Greenland “Red White and Blue Land” as Trump negotiates to buy Greenland

 

[anony.miss]

Trump's America:

"A Texas mother is seeking answers after her 11-year-old daughter committed suicide after being bullied by her classmates over her family's immigration status. The child, identified as Jocelynn Rojo Carranza, was a sixth-grade student at Gainesville Intermediate School.

Jocelynn was repeatedly harassed by classmates, who taunted her and threatened to call ICE to deport her family, Univision reported. The bullying was so severe that Jocelynn reported it to school authorities multiple times—yet no action was taken. Marbella added that she was not informed about the bullying until after her daughter's death. On February 3, after enduring months of bullying, Jocelynn made the devastating decision to end her life. The sixth-grader's death comes amid an aggressive push by the Trump administration to deport people who are in the United States illegally."

https://www.ibtimes.sg/texas-girl-11-commits-suicide-after-classmates-bullied-her-threatened-call-ice-deport-her-78564

That poor girl, and her poor family.

Edited Wednesday at 10:38 AM by anony.miss

[tres bien]

Postmaster General Louis DeJoy sent a letter to the USPS Board of Governors on Monday to inform them he is stepping down and they should begin searching for his replacement 

I

[lookeyloo]

3 hours ago, tres bien said:

Postmaster General Louis DeJoy sent a letter to the USPS Board of Governors on Monday to inform them he is stepping down and they should begin searching for his replacement 

I

I saw that and wonder why.  He is relatively young and in the middle of his 10 year plan.  Maybe illness?  Musk hired him? 

[bluegirl147]

21 minutes ago, lookeyloo said:

I saw that and wonder why.  He is relatively young and in the middle of his 10 year plan.  Maybe illness?  Musk hired him? 

More likely he knows what is coming and is leaving for greener pastures.  The  Postal Service is always on the chopping block.  If they get their way how long before the post office becomes a subscription service where we have to pay to receive our mail?

3 hours ago, anony.miss said:

That poor girl, and her poor family.

MAGA will not care. 

4 hours ago, tres bien said:

Trump’s birthday falls on Flag Day June 14

Last week Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (R NY) proposed a bill to make Trump’s birthday a federal holiday sharing it with Flag Day. She said it can be both to recognize him as the founder of America’s Golden Age

She added no modern president has been more pivotal for our country and we want to ensure Trump’s contributions to American greatness are forever enshrined into law

There have already been been proposals by house republicans to rename Dulles airport for Trump. Have his likeness carved on Mt Rushmore and rename Greenland “Red White and Blue Land” as Trump negotiates to buy Greenland

 

In my state some Trump worshipper has introduced a state house resolution to rename the highest point in the state Trump Mountain five years after this death.  Tell me again this isn't a cult leader with his cult worshipping him.

7 hours ago, LexieLily said:

At this point I am legit afraid to ask just what would be the line too far for three (!!!) GOP persons to decide to impeach him?

If Trump said he was changing his party affiliation to Democrat? If he decided he didn't want the tax cut for the rich? If he came out and announced he is gay?

7 hours ago, Lantern7 said:

It just feels like people being evil for the fun of it.

That is exactly what they are doing.  They are also seeing how far they can go. It's like a game to them. When you are a billionaire they just let you do it.

9 hours ago, Yeah No said:

I think the right thinks that liberals are all guilt ridden whites that can't "own" their racism the way they do. They believe that liberals have been indoctrinated to hate and apologize for what they have been told is their unconscious racism.

There is some truth there.  White racists always think other white people are racist too.

 

[lookeyloo]

57 minutes ago, bluegirl147 said:

More likely he knows what is coming and is leaving for greener pastures.  The  Postal Service is always on the chopping block.  If they get their way how long before the post office becomes a subscription service where we have to pay to receive our mail?

Maybe so, but I thought that's why he was put in there in the first place, to tear things apart and then some of his companies who run private services would benefit?

[bluegirl147]

10 minutes ago, lookeyloo said:

Maybe so, but I thought that's why he was put in there in the first place, to tear things apart and then some of his companies who run private services would benefit?

Yes.  He will probably benefit in some way if they privatize USPS.

[peacheslatour]

5 hours ago, tres bien said:

Postmaster General Louis DeJoy sent a letter to the USPS Board of Governors on Monday to inform them he is stepping down and they should begin searching for his replacement 

I

I posted an article about this yesterday but it was removed. 🤔

[PRgal]

10 hours ago, Yeah No said:

The thinking they know better comes from having bought whatever script they were sold about how racism works. Essentially being out of touch and not knowing any better they see it in a simplistic, unrealistic way. Acting like they know better is a defense mechanism to reassure themselves that they memorized the script right and therefore aren't racist. Again, coming from a guilt complex they have over their racism and white privilege.

I think the right thinks that liberals are all guilt ridden whites that can't "own" their racism the way they do. They believe that liberals have been indoctrinated to hate and apologize for what they have been told is their unconscious racism. The MAGA crew embraces its racism and won't apologize for it. They have zero guilt over it. Although if pressed by people they don't know or think are Democrats they will deny being racist. Meanwhile behind closed doors with each other it's a different story.

Unfortunately, many ARE.  And I'm really tired of people apologizing for things that don't really need to be apologized for OR for telling me or people from my community to "decolonize" our minds.  Some have gone as far suggesting that I use my Chinese name (i.e. my official, legal middle name) rather than my first (Anglo).  I NEVER use it.  My PARENTS don't use it.  They call me "Ah Nui" ("Daughter") when they're talking about me (my son is "Ah Bee" (Baby/Little One)).  My uncle on my dad's side calls my dad "Ah Goh" (Older Brother) though one of his sisters is usually referred to by her given (English) name (or Gah Jeh (older sister)...not as often since she's the second kid (said uncle is #3)).  The youngest sister is Mui Mui (Younger/Little Sister). Then many ALSO expect me to know who is whom to which family member.  I DON'T KNOW!  Heck, fluent/native Chinese speakers get confused too!!!  It can get REALLY TOXIC.

[Dimity]

Today my daughter and I teamed up to join Costco.  It's an American company so there's that, but it's an American company with principles, which beats the hell out of some of the other American companies that currently operate in Canada.